Mine Neutralization System News

Driven by the need to organically protect maritime Task Groups from the threat of sea mines, the Royal Australian Navy is introducing a deployable Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) capability under the first phase of Project SEA 1778.The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) SEA 1778 deployable Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) capability is both a small step forward in the spiral development process and a “technological leap” into autonomy.”The RAN is looking to replace its four legacy Huon-class minehunter coastal ships (MHCs) with a new deployable MCM capability.

SeaFox: a quicker, cheaper, safer mine-hunting capability for the Navy when it comes to keeping sea-lanes open. Mine hunting is the mission, identification and neutralization is the method; maintaining open, safe sea lanes is the goal. In the past, these tasks were accomplished by explosive ordnance disposal divers or the antiquated SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle. While these units fit the bill and accomplished the mission, the Navy is always looking to complete tasks and missions quicker, cheaper and safer. Enter the SLQ-60 SeaFox Mine Neutralization System.

The Royal Navy visited Saab Seaeye to view the company’s range of underwater vehicle technology designed for maritime defense. A delegation led by Commodore Alex Burton, head of Maritime Capability, toured the facilities at Fareham, which have recently doubled in size since the opening of a second factory building. The Navy said they are looking for innovative mine disposal systems beyond those currently in service. They are particularly interested in the potential offered by unmanned systems coming from Saab Seaeye’s new range of hybrid underwater vehicles.

Under contract to Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC) Indian Head, Md., Atlas North America (Atlas NA) will deliver the Atlas Portable SeaFox Mine Neutralization Systems (PMNS) to address an urgent operational need from U.S. Navy Central Command for a more effective mine countermeasures system. Under this contract, Atlas NA is responsible for the delivery of the SeaFox  sys-tem, installation, integration, testing, training and life cycle support of these portable systems. All deliveries are expected to be complete within one calendar year. Sergio Diehl, President of Atlas North America stated:  “We are extremely pleased to once again have been selected to provide the SeaFox Mine Neutralization System to the US Navy and sailors operating in forward deployed areas…

The SeaFox mine neutralization system, delivered by ATLAS North America (ATLAS NA), a subsidiary of the German-based ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, once again proved its effectiveness in performing unmanned mine countermeasure missions, when participating in Trident Warrior 2012 U.S. Navy Fleet Experiment, July 9-20. During the Fleet Experiment, Textron/AAI used its Fleet Class Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV) with a L-3 Klein 5000 V2 Side Scan Sonar to investigate a suspected minefield.

Fleet, Force put Warfighting First: U.S. At the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, and with a new Chief of Operations at the helm, the U.S. Navy continues to provide credible combat power with persistent presence around the world. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert has set forth his “Sailing Directions” and “Navigation Plan” for the Navy, which sets forth priorities and informs the budget and acquisition process. Meanwhile, the demand signal for the capabilities provided by the Navy and Marine Corps remains strong, and shows no signs of abating.

Four more minesweepers and four more minesweeping helicopters are to be sent to the Persian Gulf, a move which will increase the number of mine countermeasure forces available to keep open the sea lanes around the Strait of Hormuz should Iran choose to mine that critical waterway. “We are moving four more minesweepers to the region, making eight,” Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations (CNO), told the U.S. Senate Armed Services committee during a Navy budget hearing.

Lockheed Martin Corp. received an $11m contract to develop and integrate a surface mine countermeasure system for the Navy's Avenger-class ships. Lockheed Martin will develop hardware, software and interfaces for the so-called Expendable Mine Neutralization System, or EMNS. The system, which will be integrated on the Navy's Mine Counter Measures Avenger-class ship, is designed to protect carriers and expeditionary strike forces by neutralizing mines located at the bottom of the sea or suspended in water.

Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Syracuse, N.Y., is being awarded an $11m firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the System Development and Demonstration Phase of the Expendable Mine Neutralization System (EMNS). The EMNS is a mine identification and neutralization system for support of mine neutralization operations from MCM-1 Class ships. It will replace the aging and maintenance intensive AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization System and will provide ships with improved reconnaissance capability, positive identification of mine threats, reduced neutralization mission times, and reduced maintenance in both time and required spares. Work will be performed in Syracuse, N.Y.